Me flippin' feet!

Not knocking turmeric, by the way. Who knows, it might have been much worse if I hadn't been taking it!

Very interesting posts! In the last couple of days I seem to have acquired arthritis in one big toe, which is making walking difficult and very painful. And this when I've been taking turmeric for the past two weeks! I will be looking at all your recommendations for shoes.

I do sympathise Sluttygran. I also have arthritis in my feet. Have had an operation for a neuroma, then alcohol injections, then steroid injections for arthritis - until I couldn't have any more. Have had many different shoe inserts including a set shaped for my feet. Trouble is that the inserts make it impossible to get the shoes on. Have just been rereffered to another podiatrist for more investigation. The knock on effect from all these foot problems is that it affects the whole body, especially the back and hips. A miracle is needed.

My feet are bothering me today, burning hot and sore. I am wearing terry sports socks with thick cream on my feet, really fetching

Just bought some pink sandals from Julipa for EEE fit for my big balloon feet! At least I can still go out now and will sell the Hotters which don't fit as there are two brand new pairs.

Going out today my feet were very swollen. The Hotter sandals which I have had for a number of years now left harsh marks and obvious big swollen bits in other places on my feet. I therefore need to look for new shoes. I have only just bought two new pairs too but not in wide so they'll be no good. Even with my water tablet, my feet still stay swollen. I'm going to have to sit with them above my head!

The only shoes I can walk in these days are Skechers GoWalk , I don't know what I would do without them, I have 3 pairs just now and will get another for the summer. Hotter shoes used to be ok but the arthritis has got too bad for them now and they are no use.
For going out when only walking to the car and to a venue, I have Comfort Fit from Shoe tailor.

I have arthritis in my arms and shoulders. My children keep suggesting I take my grandchildren , who are still small , out for the day. I don't think they realise how hard it is to lift little ones into baby seats and strapping them in , or lifting them on to swings or on to chairs for their meals... I love them dearly but how I suffer when I have them for a day! I have just held our new addition and even that little head on my arm makes me wince! On a positive note my 5 year old granddaughter is a little treasure as she can climb into cars and seats on her own and is perfectly happy whiling away the afternoon reading or doing jigsaws with me.

Anne 53. My feet haven't been the same since Rome 3 yrs ago! But I'm not giving up. Taking DH there next month...Lets see what it does to his feet! Lol

"Carerof123" -just come back from Rome today. Magical but you definitely need good shoes. I can't feel my feet after 4 days there, but wouldn't have missed it for the world. You also need to be able to walk across the road VERY FAST between all the cars and crazy drivers. If in doubt, tag onto the back of a Roman. They seem to be able to cross Rome streets without getting knocked down.

I also have rheumatoid arthritis and my feet too are affected. I like you don't want to wear frumpy shoes. I have found some nice shoes in vogue with fashionable styles in Clarks. They have a variety of fittings and l find the e fitting very comfy. I have got several bargains in their online sales & if you have a Clarks store near you just order them to be sent there free of charge so you can try before you buy. So no postage or money sent / spent before you know the shoes are for you. Good luck.

sluttygtan you need to see the Supervet, he will sort you out. It does seem strange that more research is done for animals than humans. He has given cats and dogs artificial feet.

Time to post another link to the website where I buy my shoes, I think. Widths up to EEEEEEEE and some very attractive styles.I mention this every time a thread comes up about how impossible it is to find smart wide-fitting shows, but I don't get any commision .

www.dbshoes.co.uk/

If you send for their (thick) catalogue, they keep you updated about their frequent sales, so if you are prepared to wait a bit you can get a bargain. They make men's shoes too.

I find Hotters are not wide enough for me - they never have more than one style bigger than EEE. I take EEEE.

I have this problem too , I have just accepted that I have to wear wide fit flats or be unable to walk more than a few feet . I was offered an operation but was told that I would be unable to bend my feet at the toe joints but could be pain free . I think the ugly shoes are a compromise as I can walk more easily in them with less pain .

How many Es in their widest, and do they look good? I seem to remember the last time I looked they had only one pair my width, and they were ugly.

J D Williams on-line have different width footwear including VERY wide. Prices are reasonable too.

Turmeric is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. You can buy ground turmeric from supermarkets, exactly the same as the over the counter capsules from health food shops, pharmacies. Eat one teaspoon every day. It doesn`t taste bad at all but you can mix it with honey. I swear by it. Just google: "turmeric for arthritis".

I too suffer with my feet at times, although thankfully not every day, it depends on what i have been doing.

I am going to Rome in a few weeks time and it is going to involve a lot of walking to visit various historical sites.

I was so worried about shoes as my really comfy ones look a tad scruffy but i have found some sandals in a Damart leaflet which came in a newspaper or through the door they are perfect and they do width EEE for those that require broader fittings.

They are also in various colours so should go nicely with summer outfits.

Sluttygran, I advise you to get mobility scooter to get you out and about. I have had mine for ten years and without it would be housebound as I cannot walk more than a few steps. Just a ride round the village raises the spirits.

My grandson aged 5 was 'being grandma' recently and stood up from a chair with a loud groan going 'ooh, my knees'! And I thought I hadnt mentioned my bad knee!

I go to a.podiatrist privately. I'm just diabetic and have some foot problems - not serious ones but painful and thought I should give my feet some attention. There is an NHS chiropodist but a long waiting list. The podiatrist is wonderful and after a visit I walk on air. She also fits and sells shoes and I have EasyB for everyday. I used to have Hotter, but apparently the 'toe box' bit tends to be smaller. I do have Hotter wide dressy ones with the smallest of high heels for dressy occasions and find I am fine in Hotters trainers. I had my feet 'done' just before my holiday last week and despite doing far more walking than usual I have happy feet.

I can really sympathize with you Sluttygran. So many outfits look lovely with heeled shoes. There are so many pretty shoes this year too. I have arthritis in my big toes and as a result they won't bend at all. Heeled shoes are out . You aren't being vain. We nearly all try to look our best.
My doc. prescribed anti-inflamitaries,even though I know there is an opp. to fix the joints.( maybe too expensive?). I take high strength glucosamine instead and find it helps a bit.

Thanks so much for your input, everyone! It's horrifying how many of us are suffering foot problems - as Tiredoldwoman remarked "Age is a bugger!"

I have seen rheumatologists, podiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons and had every medication, injection and orthotic under the sun. The docs have been very good, but they must be sick of the sight of me! Pain killers help quite a lot as long as I don't stand up

Basically, the joints in my feet have completely disintegrated, and no-one can say why this has happened, as the rest of me is only moderately arthritic. I am told that there really isn't any treatment which will help, and unfortunately, although we can have new hips and knees, we can't be given new feet. I'm not suitable for existing surgical options, as there isn't enough bone left.
I have been referred to a new orthopaedic surgeon in the hope that he might have some ideas, but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm grateful for the shoe recommendations and shall try them. I also didn't know about the VAT relief on wide shoes - that's been kept a good secret, so ta for the info!
I am resigned to the probability that I will need a mobility scooter, which I suppose could be great fun, and would allow me to get out and about a bit more. If I'm sitting on that, I shall be able to wear lovely shoes, 'cos I won't have to walk in them!

Thanks again everyone, and I wish for you all to have slim, elegant and pain-free tootsies - wouldn't that be great? x

Because of arthritis I have walking difficulties and have broad feet. I get shoes by mail order from Julipa. Their Cushion feet and Comfit shoes go up to EEEE fitting and come in all colours and different styles.
One gransnetter mentioned taking anti inflammatories for arthritis. When I took them they had an effect on my kidney function so had to stop. Can now only rely on painkillers which don't help much but give me constipation! Can't win.

I can sympathise sluttygran as I have mid-foot arthritis in my right foot and now Achilles tendon problems in my left. I also have a painful heel in my left and am due to have an MRI to look at the tendon problems and also the heel. I'm wondering if I've got a spur.

I have recently had orthotics made for the mid-foot arthritis and also have heel inserts, but they don't appear to be helping very much at the moment. I only have one pair of shoes into which the orthotics fit. I did have a steroid injection into the midfoot joint, but it did nothing and the podiatrist said the joint was bone on bone. I agreed to try the orthotic in the hope of dodging surgery.

I have problems buying shoes anyway, as I only take a size 2 or 2 1/2, and children's shoes are often too narrow for the orthotic to fit into. After reading your post, EmilyHarburn, I may well go back to the GP and ask if he can help further. I'll also have a look at the link. I didn't realise about the VAT. Thanks for that.